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Some of the best biking trails in the Rangely area are relatively nearby in the sandstone rims and mesas located north of town. With 1.6 million acres of public land in the county.
There are unique and rustic opportunities for hiking all around Rangely, and the rewards of exploring these areas are great: beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife, evidence of those ancient cultures, and solitude.
You can find just the right path for your ability and interest. |
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| This network is an evolving set of trails for the use of mountain bikes in the backcountry of Western Rio Blanco and Moffat Counties. The original vision was established by Don Peach, a past Rangely Town Manager and Mayor. The initial development of the trail system was laid out over existing tracks. Future improvements are intended to include loops of linking single tracks. The area presently laid out is extensive and requires careful preparation and consideration of the wild area in which it is located. |
| If you enjoy backcountry hiking, or backroad mountain biking, the above map shows the relationship of eight detailed sections. The large brown lines indicate the trails and the small black lines are the Rio Blanco County road system. Each detailed section is indicated by a colored box and represents that area on 1:100,000 topographic map. On both the overview map and the detailed sections light brown colored land indicates private property and light purple State lands. |
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If you enjoy backcountry hiking, or backroad mountain biking, the above map shows the relationship of eight detailed sections. The large brown lines indicate the trails and the small black lines are the Rio Blanco County road system. Each detailed section is indicated by a colored box and represents that area on 1:100,000 topographic map. On both the overview map and the detailed sections light brown colored land indicates private property and light purple State lands. |
| The terrain of the area is at an elevation of between 5,520 feet to 8,860 feet and has vegetation that varies from high desert sagebrush and pinyon-juniper to Douglas fir-Aspen meadows. temperatures vary widely between the lower and higher elevations. |
The Rims is a rough and rugged place, and you really should use a high-clearance vehicle, such as a large pickup truck or four-wheel drive utility vehicle. The Rims is no place for the family sedan. If it's been raining, it would be wise to delay the trip until the muddy backroads have had a chance to dry. In winter it becomes even more vital to prepare carefully and check with the local authorities for any possible severe weather. |
| The rewards of exploring these areas are something you never tire of: Beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife, evidence of those who have been there before, and solitude. If you are lucky, you can find Indian dwellings and astronomical sites, secret rock art panels, arrowheads and maybe even a wickiup. Such artifacts are federally protected and should not be disturbed in any way. |
| Eagle and other raptor nests are common in the rimrock. Please respect these big birds if you find yourself in their territory. Mule deer, pronghorn, and elk are abundant, as are predators such as coyotes, red foxes, and badgers. Mountain lions are present but elusive. It is rare to see anything more than their tracks. |
We hope you will enjoy your visit.
Once again, welcome! |
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